Thursday, October 25, 2007

PA: Israel thwarting security efforts

Palestinian security source says Jewish state prevented entry of 500 police officers into West Bank city of Nablus, several days after Defense Minister Barak told US Secretary of State Rice that Palestinians are unable to deploy security personnel According to the source, Israel prevented the entry of some 500 Palestinian police officers into Nablus through the Hawara checkpoint on Tuesday.

Security Cooperation?

The officers were meant to deploy in the West Bank city as part of a Palestinian security plan, which was included in the understandings between the Palestinians, Israel and the United States.

During US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's last visit to the Middle East, Defense Minister Ehud Barak told her that the Palestinians were unable to implement their security plans, presenting as an example the Palestinians' failure to deploy 500 security officers in Nablus.

According to the Palestinian source, the fact that Israel prevented the Palestinian forces' entry proves that the Jewish state is seeking to thwart any Palestinian security effort, in a bid to continue presenting the PA as incompetent and justify the ongoing Israeli refusal to discuss the withdrawals from the West Bank city and the removal of checkpoints.

Another issue raised by the PA source was the amnesty given to members of Fatah's military wing, the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, three months ago.

According to the source, following a trial period Israel was meant to grant the men free movement, but now refuses to discuss the issue.

"The Israelis are not cooperating on this issue as well," he said.

According to the source, "The agitation among the organization members is increasing and things could get out of hand."

The security source added that it was not coincidence that Israel was toughening its stances and enhancing the obstacles faced by the PA as the US-sponsored Mideast peace conference approaches.

No comments: